Friday, January 09, 2009

We made it!


I can't believe we are in Beijing! We got from Phx to San Francisco just in time for a potty stop and then right on to the gate where they had already started boarding. It couldn't have worked out any better. We got in a couple of hours ago and the long flight was basically uneventful, except for a few series of turbulence. Christine, you would have been climbing the walls on the plane trying to sit still for 12 hours! They have movies running the entire flight expect for when they stop to feed you. Susan, I remembered what you said about the infamous noodle bowl...not good! All the other food was good and the flight attendents were very friendly.

It's only 7pm on Friday night here, but we are dog tired since our bodies think it's 4am on Friday morning. I think we are going to get something to eat and then crash for the night.

Here's a couple pics of the room...small, but nice.



and here's a lovely self portriat after a full day of traveling...

48 comments:

a Tonggu Momma said...

Y'all look WONDERFUL. Seriously. Look at those beaming faces. Then again, we can't smell you from here. LOL.

Natalie said...

Glad you're safe. You look just great. Can't wait for you to meet Lauren. Super exciting.
I had a new baby granddaughter just yesterday. Super exciting too.

Dana said...

Hey Donna -- congrats that you made it! Is Alison your guide through AHH?

Kim said...

HOW AMAZING..
So glad to hear you are doing WONDERFUL and you look great..
I am teary eyed.. just thinking of you holding Lauren..
HUGS..
Have fun..
Get some rest..

Melissa said...

You made it!! You look great after such a long day of travel!!! OMG you are in China!!

Nate and Brenda said...

Glad to hear you made if safe!!!! I remember that flight so well!!

Donna said...

Dana, Susan is our guide her in Beijing and then Alison takes over in Guangzhou. So far, Susan has been great!

Donna :)

Kathy said...

Donna and Joe,
I am so happy that you made it. You both look good after your long travel. Donna how did you do on the flight?
Only a couple more days to Lauren.
Kathy

the mommy said...

So you to could not look more happy! You are in China pinch yourself! Enjoy every moment! I warned you about that noodle bowl LOL..We can't wait for what comes next..

Love ya
Susan, Riz and Sophia

C's Mom said...

Hooray! Glad you arrived safely in China. Now...sleep first then enjoy :0)

Kramer said...

I am so glad to see that the flight was uneventful and that you made it to China (it's about time!) In your picture I can just see the all the love, joy and excitement in your expressions! I can't wait to follow the rest of your journey!
Kim Kramer

Lori said...

Hi you guys!! You are there! The land of the rising sun. OMG!!! We are so excited for you. Can you believe you are there? We've been back a week and still cannot believe we were there. LOL

Love you guys!

Lori, Andy & Qiao

Shannon said...

I'm so glad that you are there safe & sound. Sleep well! That is a LONG day, no matter how you cut it. :-)

Sandra's Dreams said...

This is so exciting!! All your dreams, and miracles are at your finger tips, its coming true!!! I'm so excited for you two!! :)

Catherine said...

You look amazing after that day of travel!!

SO excited for you! 2 more sleeps...2 MORE SLEEPS!!!

Shelley said...

You guys look great! Gotta love that 12 hour flight, huh?

So good to see you in China!

Cheryl said...

WOOOOHOOO -- you're in China!!! I'm glad the flight went well for you -- now you can ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!! I'm so happy for you guys!!!
With hugs,
Cheryl

Carol said...

I was so tired when we got to Beijing that I skipped dinner and just crashed.......you are doing great!

Our hotel was a closet but who cares you are in CHINA!!!!!!

WOO HOO!!!!!!!

Karsynn's Mommy...Sammi said...

Joe and Donna

So happy for you two. We're strangers, yet I feel like I know you. We're watching from KY. Can't wait to see you with that beautiful girl! Remember, savor every moment. It flies by!

Scott and Kim said...

You both look so happy and do not look like you just traveled around the world. ;-) Have fun siteseeing! I have not checked the weather... hopefully it is not too cold.

Sherri said...

You guys look great after that long flight. I'm glad your in China.
Sherri

Linda said...

Donna, you look great..Guess your pills worked fine.. By now you have walked the Great Wall, Who would ever have thought that!!! Keep busy only a few more days to Lauren Day!! Yay, Yay !!!!.....Love Mom

jeanette said...

glad you made it safe and sound! and yay for a quick transfer from 1 flight to the next!

you'll LOVE Allison. she is amazing. truly amazing. we didn't meet Susan but I here she's nice too. :)

Kendra said...

Congratulations on your arrival to China... Can't wait to see new pictures of your Maonan Sweetie!

Lisa and Tate said...

So funnnn!! Love the self portrait! So excited to be following along in this journey!!

Alyson and Ford said...

Get all the rest you can :) AND then see it all, taste it all, EXPERIENCE it all!!!

Soon - the little one will be in your arms!!!
peace
fm

Anonymous said...

Just checking in to let you know, that I am so excited for you and that I will be following your trip to Lauren! Have a good night. Greetings from Germany, Katja

Trudi said...

you two look great for traveling so long and so far. amazing!

Allie, Katie and Harper's Mom said...

You two look awesome!! Only 2 more
days till Lauren Day!! I get all
fa-clemped thinking about it!!!

Have fun in Beijing!!!

Hugs,

Sindy & Crew

YAY~~~~GRANDMA LINDA!!!!

frogglet said...

Get some rest and then enjoy every minute to it's fullest.
Glad you made it safely.

Anonymous said...

YEAH!! Keep posting, I am watching like a hawk and so anxious to see Miss Lauren!

Ladybugsmom said...

YEAH....counting the days!

Emily

Dana said...

You'll love Alison too! So excited for you to meet Lauren! Yeah!

nobody said...

Wow! I can't believe you are so close. I hope you are able to sleep well. We are going to keep monitoring your site and can't wait to see the "GOTCHA" pictures!

Love,
Uncle Jim and Aunt Stephanie

Ani said...

how exciting! can't wait for gotcha day!

Rhonda said...

Okay, I'm squalling and bawling right now as I'm re-living my same exact experience back in July!!!!!!!!!! When I saw that "smiley face sky sign" in the Beijing Airport, I hollered to my family, "Look, I remember that sign in the Beijing Airport!" Oh Baby, I am SOOOOOOO HAPPY for you and I don't even know you!!!!!! You're in for the best days of your life. Rest all you can, enjoy the touristy stuff, and strap on your seatbelt for Gotcha Day....At 21 months, you are right, she'll probably have a bit of a tough time. As you already know, it's okay. We all know that she will adjust and we all know that her new life will be WAY better....She just will need a little while to figure all that out. In the meantime, I'm praying for y'all's ability to relax and not be uptight about it all. I know when I was a first-time parent 18 years ago (YES YOU HEARD ME RIGHT...I have an 18 year old AND an 18 month old!!!), I was way too wound up over everything perfect and it was the ONE thing I would re-do if I could.....DONT be wound up! Put it all in God's Hands, the Author of Adoption, and you just be a willing, teachable vessel for Him to do His Work through.......Oh, I am sooooooooo jealous!!! I want to be there with you, doing it all over again.

Blessings, and prayers, and hugs to you, my friend!
~Rhonda in Tennessee

sweet momma luv u said...

I think you guys look awesome!! So glad you made it there. You are in China...Yahoo!! Get some needed shut eye and have sweet dreams about Lauren. Not much longer now.

:) Jody

redmaryjanes said...

Sending a lot of love your way. I am so excited for you guys!

OziMum said...

Glad you made it safe and sound! Hope you adjust to the timezone quickly and easily!

Enjoy Beijing! Its such an amazing place!

Evelyn said...

You guys look great for such a long flight! Glad you finally made it safe and sound.
(((hugs)))and extra hugs for Stephe & karen
Evelyn

Anonymous said...

So glad you made it safely!

Kim said...

Ni Hao!

Doesn't it feel so good to BE there?!?!? Looking forward to many updates and to seeing Lauren in your arms!

Anonymous said...

Donna, I am having so much fun watching you and the others from your group...I am in the AHH "group" from several years ago! I, actually, am supposed to travel with jemChina...yeah (even though I know they were supposed to go with you!). Congratulations...I can't wait to follow your journey and then, to actually FOLLOW you in a few months! Yeah!

Wanda, Geoff and Lexi said...

You two look great!!! Can't wait to read more!!!

love, wanda

megan said...

How exciting!!!

KHM said...

Yea - let the fun begin.

Get as much rest as you can and enjoy it all.

Alyson and Ford said...

Saw your picture on "Giorgia Danette" blog! Glad all is well and you both look happy! Keep posting!

Alyzabeth's Mommy

Unknown said...

this is awesome..I have been following your travel mates as well.too cool